Tuesday, April 22, 2008

David Villa for Valencia (v Athletic Bilbao), 20 April 2008

Following my somewhat withering assessment of Ronald Koeman's managerial ability here, it will come as no surprise to anyone who's followed his coaching career that he has been sacked as manager of Valencia after just six months in the job.

It actually might go down in history as one of the most hapless managerial stints of all time. He took over when Valencia were fourth, four points behind leaders Real Madrid and leaves them sixteenth, two points off the relegation zone and a mere 33 points behind Real. He won 4 of his 22 games in charge and alienated a grand proportion of the fans and players by sidelining experienced internationals such as Canizares, Angulo and Albelda. The final nail in his coffin was the 5-1 defeat to Bilbao this weekend.

He might just escape total vilification thanks to their 3-1 Spanish Cup final win over Getafe last week, but still - his coaching career finds a new nadir. If he's linked with your club, folks, protest vehemently immediately....!